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ONLY IN TLF: Egpyt-Israel Relations Detoriate Amid Refugee Crisis and Diplomatic Tensions

Tensions escalate as U.S. envoy's comments and displacement concerns strain decades-old peace treaty.

In a dramatic escalation of diplomatic tensions, relations between Egypt, Israel, and the United States have deteriorated rapidly following controversial statements by U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and growing concerns over the potential displacement of Palestinians from Gaza into Egyptian territory.

During an interview with Tucker Carlson, Witkoff characterized Egypt as "largely broke" with high unemployment, commenting that Egyptian officials have condemned it as an attempt to pressure Cairo on Gaza policies. "The stats in Egypt are huge – unemployment under 25 is 45 percent. A country can't exist like that. They're largely broke. They need a lot of help," Witkoff stated in the interview.

Egyptian parliamentarian Mostafa Bakry swiftly rejected these claims, asserting that "Egypt has the second largest economy in Africa and the second largest Arab economy." He described Witkoff's statements as "foolish nonsense" aimed at pressuring Egypt "because it refused to allow displacement and liquidate the Palestinian cause".

The diplomatic friction intensified following reports of former President Donald Trump's proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan, transforming Gaza into what he described as a Middle Eastern "riviera." Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi has previously warned that such forced displacement would threaten Egypt's national security and potentially undermine the 45-year-old peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

"When Israel expands the scope of its military operation in Gaza; when the IDF talks about a long occupation and not just military control of Gaza; and when the idea of 'voluntary emigration' develops into a practical plan, Egypt worries that the practical translation of this means that Israel will unilaterally open crossings between Gaza and Egypt," reported Haaretz analyst Zvi Bar'el.

Amid these tensions, Egypt has reportedly leveraged its diplomatic pressure against Hamas. According to Israeli officials cited by Walla News, "Egypt has threatened Hamas with expulsion from its territory of Hamas prisoners released in recent weeks if the terror organization does not agree to be flexible and reach a new hostage deal." This Egyptian pressure reportedly came following "strong messages conveyed by White House envoy Steve Witkoff to Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad" expressing American disappointment (Walla).

The situation has sparked concerns about potential armed conflict, with CNN reporting that ordinary Egyptians are increasingly anxious about the prospect of war with Israel. "Are we going to war?" has become a common question among Egyptians, according to CNN's report, which also notes that "the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, the first between an Arab country and the Jewish state – and which has become a bedrock of regional security – might be facing its greatest threat since it was signed 45 years ago".

As Arab leaders prepare to meet in Cairo to discuss a counter-plan to Trump's proposal, analysts warn that the ongoing Gaza crisis and displacement concerns could permanently alter the strategic relationship between these crucial Middle Eastern powers.

(NS)

Related links: 

https://www.egyptindependent.com/with-gaza-tensions-high-egyptians-and-israelis-warn-of-a-new-war/

https://www.egyptindependent.com/video-egypt-slams-us-special-envoy-over-calling-the-country-largely-broke/

https://www.egyptindependent.com/with-gaza-tensions-high-egyptians-and-israelis-warn-of-a-new-war/

https://news-walla-co-il.translate.goog/item/3737070?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=iw

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